"Before you know it as the years go by, you're just like other people you have seen, with all those peculiar human ailments. Just another vehicle for temper and vanity and rashness and all the rest. Who wants it? Who needs it? These things occupy the place where a man's soul should be." -- Henderson the Rain King

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Don't Get Too Comfortable

I just flew in from Boston, boy are my eyes tired. Lots of flying time = mega-book marathon for Jamie. I managed to knock out 6 books on the trip, so I guess my blog-agenda is pretty set for the next week or so.

Let's kick off the reviews with book #17 of my aught-six reading list, David Rakoff's fine collection of aptly-titled: Don't Get Too Comfortable: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments of Low Thread Count, The Never-Ending Quest for Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems.

The book consists of 15 humorous essays spanning a diverse array of intriguing topics. Here's a quick summary:

"Love It Or Leave It" - Hands down the gem of the book. This is a hilarious and moving tale of Rakoff's decision to become an American citizen and the ensuing naturalization process.

"What Is The Sound of One Hand Shopping?" - An examination of our infatuation with delicacy in which the author contemplates "Just how fucking good can olive oil get?"

"Sesion Privada" - In which our gay male author goes on set in San Pedro for the shooting of a Latin American Playboy TV show.

Rakoff's writing is described in a blurb on the book jacket as 'snarky without sacrificing emotional generosity'. I think that's a darned fine way to sum it up (nicely done Boston Phoenix). If you're the kind of person that gets a good chuckle out of Go Fug Yourself but are also looking for a bit of substance to offset the humor Rakoff will be right up your alley.